Manual paper feed mechanism for printer

Abstract

A manual paper feed mechanism for a printer has a release lever adapted to permit mounting and demounting of a print paper to and from a platen, a paper feed gear for rotating the paper feed roller, a manual knob having a peripheral gear section engageable with the paper feed gear, and a manual lever supporting the manual knob rotatably and swingably towards and away from the paper feed gear. In addition, the mechanism has a first cam portion formed on the manual lever, and a second cam portion engageable with the first cam portion and formed on the release lever, such that the release lever is rotated in response to the operation of the manual knob and the paper feed gear in engagement with each other. This arrangement selectively permits the manual feed of the print paper by the manuel knob.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A manual paper feed mechanism for a printer of the type having a platen, a print head for printing on a paper supported by the platen, the print head being mounted on a carriage movable toward or away from the platen, a rotatable paper feed roller for feeding paper with respect to the platen, and a paper feed gear for rotating the paper feed roller, said mechanism comprising: a movable manual lever supporting a rotatable manual knob having a peripheral gear section engageable with the paper feed gear, said manual lever being operable to move said manual knob and peripheral gear section toward and away from the paper feed gear and having a first cam portion thereon;   a pivotable release lever mounting the paper feed gear and having a second cam portion and a linkage for moving the carriage away from the platen when said release lever is moved to a first position;   said first cam portion of said manual lever being engageable with said second cam portion on said release lever when said manual lever is operated so as to pivot said relase lever to said first position moving the carriage away from the platen, whereby manual feeding of the paper can be effected without interference of the print head with the paper.   
     
     
       2. A manual paper feed mechanism as described in claim 1 further comprising a displaceable pressure roller for holding the paper against the paper feed roller, wherein said release lever has a third cam portion engaged with a portion of said pressure roller and is pivotable to a second position wherein said pressure roller is displaced away from the paper feed roller by said third cam portion. 
     
     
       3. A manual paper feed mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein said release lever has a detent for holding the linkage locked when said release lever is in said second position to lock said carriage away from the platen, wherein the paper can be freely moved or loaded with respect to the platen.